Stradone man to be buried in the UK

It is with regret that we note the death of Michael Brady, a lifelong reader of this newspaper, who passed away on February 5 last in the UK, aged 85 years.

Hailing from the townland of Lisigny, Larah (near Stradone), Michael was the youngest of 13 siblings. He moved to the UK with his family when he was still a boy. He was enrolled in a seminary school as soon as he hit double digits. “Thank God he didn’t go through with it!” his son Tony told The Anglo-Celt.

Michael came home for a while but returned to England in his mid-to-late teens. He found his vocation, not in the priesthood but the building trade, working alongside his brother Dennis in London.

He met the love of his life Elizabeth Kennedy, better known as Patsy, on St Patrick’s Day in 1962. Her family hailed from Tipperary but she was born in the UK. They married later the same year and Tony was born in 1963. The family welcomed two more sons Michael in 1971 and Mark in 1974. Jean, their only beloved daughter, passed away at the tender age of seven years from Cystic Fibrosis in 1972.

Michael maintained a connection with Cavan and the weekly postal delivery of The Anglo-Celt was always eagerly awaited. He returned often, but it wasn’t the same after his parents died.

He was an avid Manchester United supporter – but his sons didn’t hold that against him! Tony paid tribute to his late father: “He had a great sense of humour and could drink anyone under the table! He was chairperson of his local social club in Clapham and, in Gillingham, he used to organise outings for the local retirement group. He was the most generous, loving, caring man you could ever meet. He looked after us well. You could talk to him about anything; I’ll miss him just being there.”

Diagnosed with bowel cancer in September, Michael’s health went downhill around Christmas. He passed away in the presence of his loving wife of over 60 years and one of their sons at his home in Gillingham, Dorset.

The family lived in Clapham, London for over 20 years, which boasts a strong Irish community. Michael regarded Clapham as his spiritual home and, after a service in St Mary’s, he will be laid to rest alongside his dear daughter Jean in South London Cemetery tomorrow (Monday), March 16.

Mr Brady is survived by his loving wife, three sons, their spouses and five grandchildren whom he adored. He also leaves behind extended family and many friends.